The waters are getting muddy in the early-starting 2026 race for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. 

Our Senior Alligators (longtime trusted sources) report that Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman is sounding more confident about launching a candidacy, telling associates that he will tap personal funds to help ensure he would be a competitive contender. 

Meanwhile, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland is already lining up staff for her expected candidacy for the June '26 primary. Sources report longtime Dem consultant Alan Packman will be among them and that another consultant, Scott Forrester, Chief of Staff to Rep. Melanie Stansbury, will be moving to the Haaland Guv campaign, 

Senator Martin Heinrich, who is weighing a bid, is making some new year's noise now that he is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Energy Committee. His Guv decision is being complicated by Bregman who could split male and moderate Dem voters with him while Haaland scoops up the lion's share of progressives.

President-elect Trump takes over next Monday. Soon thereafter Haaland will be out of a job so her Guv announcement is expected to come well before Heinrich makes any move. 

DATELINE ABQ

Mayling Armijo

In the 2025 ABQ mayoral race, the stall out continues with Mayor Tim Keller seeking an unprecedented third consecutive term already on a field he has pretty much to himself. 

Republicans are scurrying to find a big name to take him on before early March when candidates can begin qualifying for public financing. A mayoral candidate who meets the qualifications can be expected to receive about $700,000 in taxpayer funding,  

Talk show host Eddy Aragon, who ran against Keller four years ago and earned 15 percent of the vote in a three way race, has announced his '25 candidacy. He qualified for public financing last time.

The mayor's job has become a thankless quagmire, say close observers, explaining why there is no early enthusiasm to take on Keller even though his popularity has waned considerably since he was first elected in 2017.

Something that hasn't seemed to wane is Keller's enthusiasm for the job. He delivered a 35 minute manifesto before the ABQ Economic Forum this month and was firing on all cylinders. (News release here. Video here.) That passion as he paints a rosy picture of the city could serve him well as he goes on the offensive.

A name being added to the list of possible Keller foes is Mayling Armijo, the Sandoval County Deputy Manager under Republican County Manager Wayne Johnson. (Armijo video here.)

Armijo, 48, a former director of the BernCo Economic Development Department, holds a Masters in Business from the University of Phoenix and has Naval Reserve experience. She also has a background in land development in the private sector.

Could the GOP consultants seeking someone--anyone at this point--get behind her and scarf up that public financing?

With Keller entering the new year "fired up and ready to go" while potential opponents idle, he holds the position of front-runner. That could a be short-lived title but only if and when a name candidate emerges. 

DATELINE SANTA FE 

In Santa Fe's November mayoral election, Councilor Michael Garcia is the early front-runner to replace Mayor Alan Webber--that is if Webber decides not to seek a third consecutive term. He has not yet made an announcement.

JoAnne Vigil Coppler, who lost to Webber four years ago, now says she will run again, joining political consultant Tarin Nix and former Santa Fe Finance Director Oscar Rodriguez. 

THE BOTTOM LINES 

Eliseo Alcon, who died this week, was from Milan not Grants as first reported here. Also, while the county commissions of McKinley and Cibola counties have nominated former state Rep. Harry Garcia to fill the remainder of Alcon's House District 6 term, the Governor has yet to make an appointment because of questions about Garcia's residency in the district. In a first draft we did not provide details on the status of the appointment.

This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.